Sale's first innings last year:
8/14 = 15 pitches, 4 batters: pop-up to SS, K, infield single to 3B, K
8/20 = 11 pitches, 4 batters: pop-up to 3B, double down LF line, K, K
8/26 = 20 pitches, 4 batters: K, walk, K, ground out to SS
9/1 = 16 pitches, 4 batters: HBP, single to RF, fielders choice (SS-2B), double play
9/6 = 26 pitches, 7 batters: K, triple to RF, single to LF, single to LF, K, single to LF, K
9/17 = 18 pitches, 3 batters: single to CF, double play, pop up to 2B
9/22 = 15 pitches, 3 batters: K, K, ground out to 3B
9/28 = 11 pitches, 3 batters: K, K, ground out to 3B
10/3 = 18 pitches, 3 batters: K, K, K
Sure looks like a guy who wasn't having "difficult" first innings that often (only one where he allowed a run). Seems your memory of him might be fuzzier than you think.